Carlton’s Development Coach, Darren Harris has informed the Club that he will return to Perth later this year to take up a role with leadership consulting firm Leading Teams when his contract expires in November.

Harris, joined the Blues ahead of the 2009 season after a three-year stint as an Assistant Coach at West Coast.

Carlton’s General Manager of Football, Andrew McKay said although disappointed that Darren would no long remain at Carlton, the Club supported his decision to move back West.

“Darren has been an integral member of the Football Department for the past four years,” he said.

“Not only has he been instrumental in the formation of the club's development academy, he has devoted himself tirelessly to working with our VFL affiliate club, the Northern Blues, as well as assisting in the day to day coaching and development of all players within the Club.

“On behalf of everyone at the Carlton Football Club, I want to thank Darren for his service and wish him all the best with his new venture.”

Darren was appointed to the new position of Development and Academy Manager in late 2008 working with former Carlton player David Teague and St Kilda great Robert Harvey in the development of Carlton’s younger players. In 2011 his role was expanded to include coaching Carlton’s VFL affiliate side.

He relinquished this VFL coaching role to Robert Hyde for the 2012 season but returned to the position, coaching the Northern Blues from midway through the 2012 season, when Hyde made the decision to concentrate on his full-time job as a school principal.